Ship-steering apparatus



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

J. EDSON.

SHIP STEERING APPARATUS.

. Patented Feb. 7, 1888.

IWEIJTL'UK N. PETERS. Pholwulhu n hcr. Wishinglnn. D,c

(No Model.) 2 Shets-Sheet 2.

J. EDSON.

SHIP STEERING APPARATUS. A

No. 377,375. Patented Feb. 7, 1888.

ngrapher. wmi m n c Fries.

JACOB EDSON, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

SHlP-STEERING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 377,375, dated February '7, 1888.

Application filed December 23, 1887. Serial No. 258,782.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, Jacon Enson, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Ships Steering Apparatus, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in ships steering apparatus, particularly designed for yachts and small boats or vessels, and it is carried out as follows, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 represents a plan view of the improved steering apparatus. Fig. 2 represents a central longitudinal section on the line A B shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents a crosssection on the line 0 D, also shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4. represents a cross-section on the line E F, also shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 represents a horizontal section on the line G H, shown in Fig. 2; and Fig. 6 represents a perspective view of the steering apparatus.

Similar letters refer to similar parts wherever they occur on the different parts of the drawings.

a is the steering-wheel, as usual, secured in a suitable manner to the forward end of the shaft 1), that is journaled in bearings c c in the bearing-plate c, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. To the shaft 2) is secured the bevel-pinion d, the teeth of which mesh into the teeth of the segmental gear 6, the center of which is secured to the rudder-post.

For the purpose of securing the central portion of the segmental gear 6 to the rudderpost,I provide the central portion of said gear 6 with an inverted saucer or socket, 6', having a pair of diametrically-opposed ears, 6 0, through which passes the fastening bolt f, having preferably a head in one end and a nut inthe other, as shown in Fig. 3. Within the socket e is made a web, e, cast in one piece with said socket and arranged at a right angle to the fastening-bolt f, said web being adapted to be inserted in a groove in the upper end of the rudder-post, so as to hold the latter in a central position relative to the socket e, even if the post should not fill the said socket 6. Thus the said web c will cause the rudder-post to be centered in one direction within the socket 6, while the bolt f, that (No inoilclJ passes through the cars 0 e" and the rudderpost, will hold the latter centrally within the socket in another direction at a right angle to the former, and in such a manner as to permit the rudder-post to be slightly or more or less inclined to the segmental gear a, as is often required in yachts and small boats. Projecting upwardly from the center of the socket e is a hearing or trunnion, 6*, that passes loosely through a perforation in the rear end of the bearing-plate c, the latter thus serving as a bearing for the segmental gear 6, whereby great strength and durability are imparted to the apparatus. Above the trunnion e is located a washer, 6", through which passes the screw 6, that is screwed into the center of the trunnion e, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, thus preventing the bearing-plate 0 and segmental gear 6 from getting detached from each other at this point.

g is a cap for the bearings c c, and it also serves as a cover for the gear cl and rear end of the shaft 1), so as to protect such parts from injury. I make on top of the bearing-plate c a hub or projection, 0 preferably circular in shape, and I provide the rear end of the cover 9 with a similar or corresponding cup, 9, adapted to fit over the projection c", and I secure such parts together by means of a screw, 9, going loosely through a perforation in the cup 9 and screwed into the projection 0 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, by which arrangement the correct position of the cover 9 relative to the plate 0 is insured, and the said parts firmly secured together at this place by means of a single screw, as described.

The forward end of the cover 9 is secured to the plate 0 by means of two screws, g 9 as shown in Fig. 1.

c" c are perforations made through the plate 0 on opposite sides of the shaft b, through which fastening-bolts are inserted, and by means of which the front end of said plate 0 is secured to the deck, seat, or other portion of the boat or vessel, as the case may be.

For the purpose of securing the rudder temporarily in any desired position, I provide the segment 6 with a series of perforations, c and I make a vertical perforation through the plate 0; and when I desire to secure the said plate and segment'gear together I look said parts together by means of a pin, h, as shown keep the gears d and e gear 6, as well as to prevent the said pin from being entirely detached from the apparatus. For the purpose of keeping the segmental gear 6 and the pinion d properly geared to gether, I make on the under side of the plate or frame 0 a foot or rest, 0 projecting rearwardly below the segmental gear 6, as shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 5, and in one piece with said rest and the plate 0 is cast a vertical rib, 0 shown in Fig. 5.

iis a rubber or equivalent elastic packing interposed between the top of the foot-piece c and the under side ofthe metal plate 70, upon which the segmental gear 6 is supported, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, said plate having a downwardly-projecting pin,7c ,passing through the packing z, and rest or foot piece 0 to prevent its getting detached from thelatter. To prevent the plate 70 from moving sidewise while the gear 6 is being turned to the right or left, I make the forward end, 7c, of the plate It forked, as shown in Fig-5, to receive the. rib c of the plate 0, by which arrangement the plate 70 is held in proper position relative to the plate or frame 0 in such a manner as to permit it to yield slightly in a vertical direction relative to the irregularities of the under surface of the segmental gear 6, and at the same time properly geared together.

Having thus fully described the nature, construction, and operation of my invention, I wish to secure by Letters Patent, and claim 1.- In a steering apparatus, the segmental gear 6, having socket 6, adapted to receive the rudder-post, said socket having a web, 6 adapted to enter the rudder-post, and ears 6 c, with fastening-bolt], as and for the purpose set forth.

. 2. In a steering apparatus, the segmental gear 6, having upwardly-projecting trunnion 6', combined with the stationary bearing-plate 0, having a perforation adapted to receive said trunnion, and the fastening-screw a, substan; tially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a steering apparatus, the segmental gear 6, its trunnion e", and fastening-screw e, in combination with the stationary frame or bearing plate 0, in combination with the front perforations, c 0, adapted to receive fastening screws or bolts for securing the platec in place, substantially as set forth.

4. In a steering apparatus, the bearing plate I or frame 0, having centering-hub c in its rear end, in combination with the cover 9, having cup 9, and the single rear screw, 9, and front screws, g 9 arranged at the sides of the bearing 0, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. a i

5. In a steering apparatus, the shaft 1) and pinion d secured to it, and the segmental gear e, having perforations 0 combined with the bearing-plate c and locking-pin h, adapted to pass through a perforation in said bearingplate and any one of the perforations in the segmental gear, as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In a steering apparatus, the shaft 12 and its pinion d and the segmental gear e, meshipg in said pinion, as described, in combination with the bearing-plate 0, having foot or rest 0 and rib c, the forked metal plate k, and intermediateelastic packing, i, all constructed, combined, and arranged substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, on this 16th day of December, A. D. 1887.

JACOB EDSON.

Witnesses:

ALBAN ANDRFJN, HENRY OHADBOURN. 

